Canadian Connection Is Behind a Major U.S. Investment that Could Boost the Stagnant California Economy

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Canadian investment may be the hottest iron in the fire for efforts to rekindle California’s stagnant economy. Following on the heels of the recent announcement of an innovative Canadian investment strategy at the Desert Dunes resort project, the Canada California Business Council is proud to announce a partnership with March of Dimes Canada to host a Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Desert Dunes Golf Club in Desert Hot Springs, CA on January 21, 2012

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB)June 24, 2011

Canadians are doing more than just visiting southern U.S. states like California. Now a group of Canadian Investors plan to use the strong Canadian dollar, and a desire for warm winter weather to help the local California economy recover and grow by selling homes to Canadians wishing to escape the harsh winters.

The Canada California Business Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to growing investment and job creation on both sides of the border, has teamed up with the March of Dimes Canada to host a celebrity golf tournament at the Desert Dunes Golf Club in Desert Hot Springs, CA on January 21, 2012 to bring awareness to a project that, when successfully completed, will allow Canadians to help breathe new life into a stagnant U.S. economy.

The proposed residential development, which includes building 1,500 homes and 900 condos and is projected to cost $200 to $250 million, and Desert Dunes’ involvement in Riverside county’s EB-5 Visa program was showcased at a foreign trade award reception on May 17, 2011 led by the Riverside County Economic Development Agency. The EB-5 program presents foreigners with an opportunity to invest in a project in exchange for a commitment to create a set number of jobs. For it, investors get a green card.

Lee Fraser, President of the Canada California Business Council, highlighted the importance of bilateral relationships like the one that brought this project together. “We believe the [January 2012] event will showcase the power of the council’s network, using a Canadian business and investment background coupled with the willingness by the California government to work together in partnership on a project like the Desert Dunes. The County of Riverside and Tom Freeman have been amazing to work with, and we’re looking forward to bringing a high-class Hollywood style event to the desert in January 2012”

Tom Freeman, foreign trade commissioner with the EDA, called Desert Dunes an important project. “It was shut down,” he said. “When they bought it, they saved 37 jobs. Having foreign direct investment is extremely important to the county’s economy, right now, Canadians are buying 44 percent of everything this county makes or grows. It is a major partner. By contrast, Mexico is buying 11 percent; Japan, 17 percent,” Freeman said. “We want to focus on Canada like a laser beam.”

March of Dimes Canada has grown from assisting polio survivors in the 1950’s to assisting almost 50,000 Canadians with physical disabilities of all types across Canada. They provide information and advocacy programs and innovative services in employment, recreation and integration, peer support and Conductive Education®. In 2012, they are expanding their services to British Columbia and Alberta.

Past celebrity support for March of Dimes Canada includes William Shatner, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Eugene Levy. The Canada California Business Council courts Alan Thicke, Bruce Jenner of “The Kardashians”, George Stroumboulopoulos and Luc Robitaille as past attendees of their own tournament. The Desert Dunes has hosted celebrity guests including Johhny Bench, Dave Coulier, Vince Coleman, Mickey Tettleton, Don Baylor, Jim Merritt, Marty McSorley and Grant Fuhr at various events on the course.

For more information please contact:

Canada California Business Council – Jennifer Price at pr(at)cabusinesscouncil(dot)com

March of Dimes Canada - Ruth Kapelus at RKapelus(at)marchofdimes(dot)ca